The following information was provided in response to a survey prepared by the Federal Court Practice Committee of The Florida Bar. This information is not binding on any judge or court official and may not be relied upon for precedential purposes. Further information may be found in the attachments (sample orders, etc.) referenced at the end of this Guide entry or on the court's website noted below.

Other than procedures adopted by the U.S. Marshal's Service relating to access to a federal courthouse, do you have any additional procedures to be followed for the use of cell phones, laptops, or other electronics?

Is there a designated court staff person to contact relating to the use of electronic media or other audiovisual needs?

*Always verify with the Clerk of Court or the U.S. Marshal's Service as to any procedures relating to the use of cell phones or other electronic devices at the courthouse.

(in addition to Local Rules or CM/ECF procedures applicable in the District)

Do you have a preferred method for counsel to correct an electronically filed document that inadvertently contains personal information (as prohibited by Fed.R.Civ.P. 5.2)?

Do you have a preferred method governing the filing of sealed documents?

Do you prefer that (non-trial) exhibits be filed as separate docket entries (instead of filing them as attachments to the document they support)?

When filing documents with multiple attachments, do you prefer that the document be filed such that it is displayed with bookmarks within the PDF image? (This question only applies if such filing is available as a format for filing attachments in your District.)

Do you prefer that (non-trial) exhibits and depositions be filed conventionally as well as on CM/ECF?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, do you require more than one copy to be filed?

Do you prefer to have proposed orders (other than those required to be filed in the case) submitted as an attachment to documents filed in CM/ECF, or do you prefer to receive them by email or another method?

Should proposed orders be submitted in a format which can be edited, or is a PDF version acceptable?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what matters do you typically discuss during a preliminary pretrial conference? At a status conference, status of the case, i.e., change of plea, need for continuances.

Do you require the defendant to be present at status conferences?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, do you have the same policy for defendants in custody and for defendants on bond?

Do you conduct suppression hearings or do you refer them to a Magistrate Judge?

Do you conduct hearings on pretrial motions to dismiss or to sever? Yes

Do you take the plea or do you regularly refer plea hearings to a Magistrate Judge?

If you regularly refer plea hearings to a Magistrate Judge, what circumstances would permit the parties to have a plea hearing before you?

Do you have a regular plea deadline?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, when is that deadline?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf NO, is a plea deadline set at pretrial conferences?

What is your policy concerning nolo contendere or Alford pleas? Not allowed.

Do you have any special procedures regarding plea agreements for individuals who are cooperating with the government, e.g., sealed plea agreements, etc.?

What is your policy as to plea agreements that involve sentencing recommendations? Will consider recommendations contained in plea agreement.

Other than those discovery schedules contained in Local Rules, do you have special discovery deadlines or procedures for certain types of cases (ERISA, FLSA, etc.)? Yes

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what types of cases and what are the deadlines or procedures? Yes (FLSA) & ADA
The court issues a scheduling order after the def. has filed an appearance.

Do you routinely refer discovery matters to a Magistrate Judge? Yes

When a dispute arises during a deposition, is it appropriate to call your chambers or the Magistrate Judge's chambers (depending on whether the case has been referred for discovery) to seek an immediate ruling? Yes

Do you automatically set civil cases for trial or do you wait for counsel to propose a time period in which a case should be scheduled for trial?

Do you grant specially set trial dates (dates certain)? Yes

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, under what circumstances will you grant trial dates certain? Most cases noticed for date certain, approx. 60 days prior to trial.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIF NO, what is your policy regarding notice for trial during a trial docket (e.g., will you give at least 48 hours' notice)? N/A, as all civil cases are set for a date certain by the Court.

What is your practice or procedure regarding rescheduling trials that are not reached on a trial docket, e.g., will the trial date be automatically rescheduled on your next trial docket?

Do you conduct pretrial conferences?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, and you have a standing order regarding pretrial conferences, please attach a copy at the end of this survey.

Do you conduct Daubert hearings prior to trial? Yes

What, if any, procedural requirements do you have regarding the use of videotapes, trial graphics, depositions, and demonstrations? DOAR equipment can be used only during complex trials, other equipment can be used depending on need.

If you require trial briefs, when are they due? One week before trial.

Do you have any requirements for trial briefs?

Do you permit counsel to perform voir dire? No&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what guidelines or restrictions must counsel follow when conducting voir dire?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf NO, can counsel submit proposed voir dire questions? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, when should such questions be submitted? At time of submission of proposed jury instructions.

What are your peremptory challenge procedures? Alternate strikes with back strikes permitted.

In multiple party cases, do you grant each party three peremptory challenges?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf NO, do you limit each side (i.e., plaintiff/defense) to a total of three peremptory challenges to be shared? Yes

Do you allow back striking during jury selection? Yes

Do you impose any standard time limits on counsel's opening statements? No&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what are the time limits? Depends on complexity of the case.

Can exhibits be used in opening statements? Yes

Do you allow plaintiffs to make a rebuttal during opening statements?

Do you permit jurors to&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsptake notes? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspask questions? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, under what constraints and restrictions? Yes, but I don't encourage it.
Written questions only.

What, if any, procedures do you have concerning objections at trial? State objections and basis; no speaking objections, except at sidebar.

When do you require counsel to file proposed jury instructions? Approx. one week prior to trial.

Should jury instructions also be submitted to chambers electronically?

When standard jury instructions are available, do you prefer that attorneys submit condensed versions of the standard instructions? No

Do you require proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed in bench trials? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, when do you require the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed? Sometimes.
Usually within 30 days after receipt of transcript.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspShould the proposed findings and conclusions also be submitted to chambers electronically?